Huge blast rocks Pearl Continental Hotel in Peshawar

Several people are feared dead and many more injured when a huge blast took place at Pearl Continental Hotel in the Saddar area at Khyber Road in Peshawar on Tuesday.

The five star Hotel is located in a high security zone the heart of Peshawar City, next to many military and Government establishments. The hotel is often used by many visiting diplomats and other important personalities.

There is some speculation that foreign guests may be among the injured. Sources indicate that gunfire shots can still be heard in the area.

Currently there is no word about estimated death toll. It is estimated that at least 25 people are injured.

According to a Geo News correspondent, the blast was so powerful that windowpanes of the nearby buildings broke.

Last year a bombing at the Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing occurred when a dump truck filled with explosives detonated in front of the Marriott Hotel in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, killing at least 54, injuring at least 266 and leaving a 60 ft (20 m) wide, 20 ft (6 m) deep crater outside the hotel.